Liu was ranked 148th on Forbes' list of China's richest people in
2012. According to
South China Morning Post, his gang activity pulled in almost
$7 billion and he was worth $855 million.

The execution inspires nervousness in other high-ranking
officials in China, especially as President Xi Jinping moves
forward with his anti-corruption campaign, as well as his promise
to take out even prominent corrupt party members.

CNN reported that many senior party officials were
watching Liu's trial closely in May, looking for any indication
that Zhou Yongkang, a former security czar linked to Liu, might
be next. Liu was said to be close with Zhou and have done
business with his son.

In December, Zhou was arrested. He will go to trial for
bribery, adultery, and revealing state secrets.

Liu started his company Hanlong Group in 1997 and built it into a
gang-run empire.
According to Xinhua, Liu and his associates made money off
everything from property and mining to loansharking and stock
manipulation. To intimidate others and protect his business, Liu
promoted gangsters who were most willing to kill.